Description of several temples of Kerala which are the mini editions of deep devotion
P.R.Ramachander

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Ethumanur Mahadeva Temple

Ethumanur Mahadeva TempleByP.R.RamachanderThis temple is situated in Ethumanur, a small town near Vaikom. It is believed that anAsura called Khara got three Shivalingas from Lord Shiva himself. He brought them toKerala, holding one by his teeth and one each in his left and right hand. While theLingam held by his teeth was consecrated in Kaduthurthi, the one held in his right handwas consecrated in Vaikom and the one held in his left hand was consecrated inEthumanur. After consecrating all these three temples in the same day, Khara is believedto have become a deer and was doing service to the Gods. It is believed that the God inEthumanur took the deer in his hand and held it there, Because of that this place wascalled Udhruthaina Puram, which translated in to Malayalam became Ethumanur (Theplace where the deer was lifted).The major worship in this temple is lighting of lamp. An ever glowing, very big lamp iskept as soon as you enter the temple. The devotees pour oil in to this lamp. Recently avessel is also kept near by so that, if the lamp is full, devotees can pour the oil theybrought in to this vessel. There is a story behind this. It seems a brass mason once made ahuge lamp and brought it to this temple. He pleaded with the management of the templeto buy the lamp from him. They simply laughed at him. They told him that the templeneed not buy a lamp paying money. That brass mason pleaded with the God for buyingthe lamp and saluted him. Then suddenly a big storm started around the temple. Thetemple management realized the God was angry at their behaviour and bought the lampand installed it there. From that time the lamp has been constantly burning in front of thetemple.The uthsava idol of Shiva is an eight handed figure which appears very angry. But thedevotees only see mercy in that form.The temple is very artistic and has a copper roof. Several wooden sculptures can befound around the temple. There are also statues of two bulls in this temple. There are alsotemples for Dakshinamrthy (very rare in Kerala), Ganapathi and Sastha in this temple.There is an engraving in the temple which indicates that it was constructed about 400years back.The festival in this temple is celebrated in the month of Kumbham (February-March),which lasts for ten days. The Thiruvadira festival and Shivarathri are also celebrated inthis temple. The eighteen part worship for Shivarathri is famous. People refer the God inthis temple as “Ethumanur Appan”.